Gartner Predicts AI Integration Fervor in Cars Will Wane by 2029

Published on January 06, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Conceptual graph or illustration showing the AI expectations curve in the automotive industry descending toward a plateau of productivity, with car manufacturer logos in the background.

Gartner Predicts That the Fervor for Integrating AI in Cars Will Wane by 2029

The consulting firm Gartner projects a change of course in the automotive industry. According to its analysis, the current drive to incorporate artificial intelligence into every vehicle will begin to slow down, culminating in a very different landscape by the end of this decade. 🚗➡️📉

The End of Mass Experimentation

The report indicates that by 2029, the scenario will be dominated by strategic consolidation. Only a handful of brands will maintain a solid financial commitment in this field, while the majority will reduce their pace. This marks the end of a phase of widespread testing and paves the way for a more calculated implementation with clear objectives.

The New Divide in the Industry:
  • One side will consist of companies that achieve a lasting competitive advantage through their own digital platforms and advanced software architectures.
  • The other side will include the majority of manufacturers, who, unable to keep up with the spending pace, will rely on solutions from external suppliers or offer more basic AI features.
  • The ability to process data on board and deploy remote software updates will become the critical factor that distinguishes leaders from the rest.
The priority will be to create applications that customers perceive as genuinely valuable and that produce tangible economic returns, rather than pursuing innovation for the sake of innovating.

Focus on Utility and Return on Investment

Investment will not evaporate, but will be channeled. Manufacturers that continue to bet on AI will do so to address very specific use cases. The goal will be to solve specific problems that improve the tangible user experience and vehicle efficiency.

Key Areas for Future Application:
  • Refine advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to increase safety.
  • Personalize the interior environment, adapting climate control, entertainment, and comfort to the occupant.
  • Optimize powertrain performance and efficiency, especially in electric vehicles.

A Two-Speed Reality

This forecast paints a future where the technological gap becomes more evident. While some engineering teams seek to integrate the latest language models into infotainment systems, others still must solve basic connectivity issues, such as getting the car's Bluetooth to pair reliably with a mobile phone. The industry is heading toward selective maturity, where technology is applied where it truly adds value and not as a mere marketing argument. 🤖⚙️